- Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Accent Among Cheapest Cars to Fuel as Petrol Costs Squeeze Drivers
Rising fuel prices are reshaping the economics of car ownership in the United States, with smaller sedans and hatchbacks emerging as the cheapest vehicles to keep on the road as motorists absorb higher costs at the pump.
A September 2026 study by automotive research platform Rerev ranks the Mitsubishi Mirage as the least expensive car to fuel among the models examined, with annual petrol spending estimated at US$1,577.
The findings come as the study says fuel prices have risen sharply since the start of the Iran war, increasing pressure on household transport budgets.
Rerev said its research compared popular petrol-powered vehicles using current annual fuel expenditure, the increase from a year earlier, the cost of travelling 100 miles, frontal crash ratings and average annual repair expenses.
Vehicles were ranked primarily according to present annual fuel costs, allowing the study to show how much drivers are paying today rather than focusing solely on manufacturers’ fuel-economy claims.
The methodology also provides a broader ownership perspective by setting pump expenditure alongside maintenance and safety indicators.
The Mitsubishi Mirage ranked first, with drivers estimated to spend US$1,577 a year on fuel, equivalent to approximately US$10.51 for every 100 miles travelled. That represented a US$354 increase from a year earlier, the smallest dollar rise among the 10 vehicles at the top of the ranking, while annual repair costs were estimated at US$457.
Rerev gave the Mirage a four-star frontal crash rating and said its small-engine economics allowed it to remain relatively inexpensive even after the broader increase in fuel prices.
The Hyundai Accent followed with estimated annual fuel expenditure of US$1,708, or US$11.39 per 100 miles, while its annual fuel bill was US$383 higher than a year earlier.
The model also carried an estimated US$444 annual repair cost and a four-star frontal crash rating in the study.
That combination placed it second overall and illustrates why compact cars have become increasingly attractive to motorists whose priority is reducing recurring transport costs.
The Hyundai Elantra equipped with stop-start technology and the Nissan Versa tied next, each requiring an estimated US$1,757 annually in fuel, equivalent to US$11.71 per 100 miles.
Their annual fuel expenses were both US$394 higher than a year earlier, while estimated repair bills stood at US$452 for the Elantra and US$456 for the Versa. Both received four-star frontal crash ratings under the data used by Rerev.
The next group highlights how relatively small differences in fuel consumption can translate into hundreds of dollars over a year.
The Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta were each estimated to cost US$1,809 annually to fuel, or about US$12.06 per 100 miles, with fuel bills rising US$406 from the previous year.
Their ownership profiles differed more substantially on maintenance, with estimated annual repair costs ranging from US$362 for the Corolla to US$609 for the Jetta.
The Corolla stood out within that group because it combined the lowest repair cost among all 10 vehicles, at US$362 a year, with a five-star frontal crash rating. The Sentra and Jetta received four stars, while their annual repair costs were estimated at US$491 and US$609 respectively.
The figures demonstrate why fuel expenditure alone may not provide a complete picture when households consider switching vehicles in response to higher petrol prices.
At the bottom of Rerev’s top 10 were the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Forte, each carrying estimated annual fuel costs of US$1,922, equivalent to US$12.81 for every 100 miles.
Their fuel bills had risen by US$431 compared with a year earlier, while annual repair costs ranged from US$400 for the Accord to US$458 for the Sonata. The Accord joined the Corolla as the only other vehicle in the ranking with a five-star frontal crash rating.
Rerev’s central conclusion is that motorists seeking meaningful fuel savings may have to reconsider vehicle size rather than merely switch brands.
“If you’re trying to cut down on what you spend at the pump, trading in an SUV or truck for another one won’t make much of a difference,” the company’s automotive experts said.
They noted that every vehicle in the top 10 was either a sedan or hatchback, reflecting the persistent fuel-cost advantage of lighter and smaller vehicles.
The difference becomes more pronounced when larger vehicles are considered. Rerev said owners of a Ford Expedition had seen their annual fuel bill increase by US$726 over the year, while vehicles such as the Dodge Durango and Honda Ridgeline were costing about US$650 more to fuel.
“Bigger vehicles simply burn more gas no matter how new or well-built they are,” the researchers said, recommending more compact options for motorists primarily concerned with reducing fuel spending.
The study arrives at a moment when fuel affordability is becoming a more significant consideration in household purchasing decisions.
Rerev cited polling suggesting that about one in four Americans would consider moving to a cheaper vehicle if fuel prices continue rising, indicating that sustained high pump costs could influence the composition of vehicle demand.
Such a shift would favour fuel-efficient sedans and hatchbacks after years in which SUVs, crossovers and larger vehicles captured a growing share of the US market.
There are, however, limits to what the ranking establishes. The research compares fuel and repair costs among the vehicles included in its dataset and should not be read as evidence that the Mirage, Accent or any other model is universally the cheapest option for every driver, since actual expenditure will vary with mileage, driving conditions, location, fuel prices and vehicle specification.
Purchase price, insurance, depreciation, financing costs and availability are also outside the central ranking and can materially change total ownership economics.
What the study does show is how quickly fuel-price movements can change the relative attractiveness of different vehicles. With annual petrol costs now approaching US$2,000 even for several relatively efficient cars, the savings associated with smaller vehicles become more visible as energy prices rise.
For US motorists considering whether to trade down in size, Rerev’s findings suggest the calculation is increasingly straightforward: fuel efficiency is once again becoming a significant part of the household car-buying decision.
